Gidi Culture Festival (Gidi Fest), the largest music and arts festival in West Africa, reveals the second wave of artists today, after recently announcing headliners Naira Marley, Flavour and Rema. With the support of The British Council, the Nigerian born and Bermondsey based rapper Flohio will perform in her birthplace of Lagos for the first time this Easter – as part of a cultural exchange with Gidi Fest that will also see Nigerian afrofusion artist Odunsi (TheEngine) perform at The Great Escape festival in Brighton this May. Flohiosays… “I’m excited about this show because performing in Africa, and especially Lagos, has always been on my to-do list. It is definitely going to be an experience and great I get to do it with Gidi Fest”. Other acts announced today include the most exciting artists and DJs from Nigeria and all across the continent, including LadyDonli (who recently toured the UK), South Africa’s ShoMadjozi, JoeBoy, JohnnyDrille, ReekadoBanks, Wurld and more. See full line up and day splits below. Gidi Culture Festival and Eclipse Live Co-Founder Chin Okeke says: “In line with our theme for Gidi Fest this year, we will be bringing Flohio home, and sending Odunsi to The Great Escape – bridging the gap and strengthening the relationship between the UK and Nigeria. It is important to create an opportunity for UK artists, especially those of Nigerian heritage to connect with their roots and their people. The Flohio and Odunsi exchange in partnership with the British Council creates the perfect entry point for these two emerging artists to break into new markets and introduce their unique sounds to the world.” For the first time ever, Gidi Culture Festival will be a multi-day event from 9th April to 11th April this Easter. This year’s festival is themed “Bringing it home” to encourage and celebrate the increasing numbers of diaspora returning to rediscover Lagos during the event. It promises to offer another packed programme immersing people in the culture, showcasing local talent, whilst pairing the most vital artists in Nigeria, Africa and a selection of the best UK and US acts. Following on from classic editions featuring the likes of Wizkid, Maleek Berry, BurnaBoy, TiwaSavage, Davido, Teni, Diplo and MoonchildSanelly, Gidi Fest 2020 is set to be its biggest yet. Line up so far
DAY ONE: THE HANGOUT: Rema + more TBA DAY TWO: RHYTHM & SOUL: Flavour, Brymo, Johnny Drille, Wurld, Lady Donli, JoeBoy, Aye, Cavemen, Big Shy Robot, DYO, DJ Venum, Merry Lyn, BadBoy Timz, Bigfoot DAY THREE: GBE BODI E: Naira Marley, Zoro, Busiswa, Reekado Banks, Flohio, Sho Madjozi, Pretty Boy DO, Oluwabruce, Alpha Ojini, DJ Yin, Crowd Controller, We Talk Sound, DJ Tunez
About Gidi Culture Festival Gidi Culture Festival is a leading African brand, born in Lagos with a global outlook. The annual Easter event celebrates the progression of urban youth culture in Africa, through an expression of music, food, art, games & travel. Now in its 7th year, the 2020 line-up will include the best African and international acts, the most exciting African artists, parties hosted by the most progressive DJs, experiential zones, a diverse range of Nigerian food vendors and much more…
If you’re a fan of prog-rock, then you need to know all about Tom Adamson Band! Coming in hot with his latest album, ‘Old View of the New World’, which was released in December of 2022, it’s got tonnes of quality alongside inspiration from Adamson’s homeland of Scotland. A musician who has been practicing his craft for decades, mixed with the sound of prog-rock that is reminiscent of legends such as Deep Purple, you can be sure that this album is one that you cannot afford to miss.
Kicking off ‘Old View of the New World’ is the brilliant ‘Ballyhoo’, a minute and a half mood setter that is already showing a deep prog-rock similarity, delivering a Gilmour-like solo that has your attention straight away. The follow-up track, ‘See the Light’, is the first time we’re introduced to the vocals of Tom Adamson, and he does not disappoint. Suiting the feel of the music and able to build momentum, it’s another brilliant track that demonstrates everything you need to hear in a great prog-rock album, with yet more fantastic solos stealing the show. The following track, ‘Old View of the New World, solidifies the album as a real gem. Jazz influences shine for the first time with a saxophone, playing alongside the fantastic guitar riffs and drums that we’ve become accustomed to.
Moving through the album, tracks such as ‘The Black Dinner’, ‘Just Another Way to Make a Friend’, ‘Waiting for Life to Begin’ and ‘I Am Mean’ showcase everything that we loved about what we’d already heard. Impeccable vocals, fantastic prog-rock music with a unique and refreshing jazz feel that helps the music stand out each and every time. Released in the back end of December last year, this is an album that you cannot afford to miss. An overall brilliant project from a brilliant artist, ‘Old View of the New World’ is waiting for you to dive right into!
If you’re a fan of Steely Dan, then you’re going to love this new release from Bank Street Martyrs as they prepare for the release of their new album! Here with their latest single, ‘Leven the Vale’, the track serves as a tribute to their hometown as well as a taster for what’s to come on the album release of the same name. With a sound that casts us back to the glory days of rock music, this is a single that you need to add to your playlist right away!
Kicking ‘Leven the Vale’ off is a drumbeat that’s quickly followed up by the immense talent of lead singer, Joseph Watema, whose delicate yet powerful vocals instantly give the song a calm feel that is welcomed with open arms, while also having you on the edge of your seat. Moving through the track, we see the same fantastic drums and vocals, mixed with fantastic guitar riffs from Andrew Marsland that carry the same feeling perfectly, allowing Watema to take centre stage throughout. With composition done perfectly with music from Marsland, vocals from Watema, and lyrics by Ian Retson all on point, it’s easy to tell that this will be on repeat again and again on so many playlists. Rounded off by a guitar solo and the same brilliant vocals, it only adds to our hope that this will be an album that will exceed each and every expectation.
Released with an accompanying music video, directed by local filmmaker Harvey Smart, it adds another dimension to the track that already has a personal feeling to it, keeping it all local making the homecoming track even more poignant. Released in December, ‘Leven the Vale’ as a single and album are ready to be enjoyed – make sure that you don’t miss out on this!
On the lookout for some barnstorming rock music that will have you turning the volume up to the max? Look no further than Same Old Tale, an Israeli outfit with an undeniably good sound and a clear command of music and lyrics that will knock you off your feet. Here with their latest single, ‘Look Down’, as the band prepare for the release of their EP, ‘Tales Are Yet to Come’, listeners will get a glimpse of what’s in store from Same Old Tale! Don’t miss out on this.
Written by the lead vocalist, Maor Shem Tov, while he was on active combat duty visiting the Hermon Mountain. The idea came as he watched the people below, thinking about how they’re heading to work, seeing loved ones and living their lives, it dawned on him what he could not afford to lose. Penning lyrics and music that were born from this epiphany, the result is a truly fantastic track for its lyrics and the resonance that it has on anyone who listens and thinks deeply.
‘Look Down’ is a single that shows us what’s to come on ‘Tales Are Yet to Come’, with not only a clear approach in the music, but also in the lyrics, as they come together perfectly to create a track that will have you wanting to be a rockstar with its solos and ass-kicking drums. Shem Tov manages to balance with the music like a pro, as he matches the intensity of the music and elevate it to a whole other level with his vocals and delivery.
A genuinely fantastic rock track, it’ll appeal to a wide spectrum of those who are inspired by rock music, from metal to alt-rock, this is the song for you. ‘Look Down’ is the perfect teaser for what’s to come, promising that there will be more music on the way that follows in the footsteps in terms of quality. Make sure you get to know all about Same Old Tale and their releases, or live to regret it!